City of Tekoa
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
For May 15, 2017
I. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor John Jaeger called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Council members present at the meeting were Jaeger, Ted Blaszak, Alyssa Heagy, Roy Schulz, David Tysz and Troy Wilson. Clerk/Treasurer Kynda Browning and City Attorney Stephen Bishop were also in attendance. Audience attendees were Keith Andersson, Todd Gabbard, Debbie Groom, Bill and Diane Harp, Matt Morkert, Wendy Sienknecht, Fred Wagner and Randy and Darlene Wise.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor John Jaeger asked those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION: Matt Morkert from Century West Engineering was in attendance. He presented A-19 No. 2 for the CDBG I and I reduction plan for $19,132.82. Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the A-19 as presented for $19,132.82. Ted Blaszak seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
Mayor Jaeger asked Matt Morkert about land applying and the need for updates to our sewer plant. Matt Morkert said if we are land applying it could still go to the creek, so the treatment level is still important, and you can only apply so much nitrogen.
IV. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Zach Lanham, building inspector, was in attendance and talked about the concern with Keith Andersson’s building. Keith Andersson said all the paperwork has to be in to the state and federal government in 29 days for the reclamation project, and he will take the building down if they won’t do anything. Mayor Jaeger asked Mr. Andersson to get him the names of the heritage people, so he can call them about a timeline. There was discussion about the cost to demolish the building and the integrity of the building. Stephen Bishop said we should have Mr. Andersson put up a chain link fence on Crosby and Main Streets. Mayor Jaeger asked Mr. Andersson to put a fence up on Crosby and Main Street by May 22nd.
Keith Andersson said he mentioned two things: his propane tank and Otto Tanner is here to say he was never given the money for his property. Dave Tysz made a motion to pay Mr. Tanner a dollar for his piece of property on Sheridan Street. Allysa Heagy seconded the motion; all council members voted yes. There was discussion.
Wendy Sienknecht asked about the rate to mow lawns, and she asked about the $15.00 rate in the fee resolution. She asked about the Fuchs building. Mayor Jaeger said he is leaving it up to the owner of the buildings on both sides of the Fuchs building.
Todd Gabbard said that when he was here a few meetings ago, the council said he could improve the property in front of his house. Mayor Jaeger said there will be some discussion about it with him. He is asking that nothing happen until he can get clarification.
V. CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
A. STREETS/TIMELINES/COST ESTIMATE: Mayor Jaeger gave the council a list of roads to chip seal. If the levy would pass, phase one includes streets the county would chip seal. They would do three streets for us. He will have a definite amount next meeting for the gravel and labor.
B. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT: Alyssa Heagy reported the neighbors watch program has been hanging up signs and they are meeting on Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. at Éclair’s. There are signs available at the library if anyone would like to have one. Ted Blaszak said he needs Stephen Bishop’s help to set up the ordinances for the safe street program.
C. STATUS OF COHN TRUST: Mayor Jaeger reported the cemetery committee will be meeting on Thursday, and Gloria Rasmussen will release some money for work at the cemetery.
D. UNFIT BUILDING STATUS REPORT: Mayor Jaeger said he doesn't have a lot to report. He is working on getting the bowling alley done.
E. LIST OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES: Dave Tysz did research at the assessor's office. There was discussion.
F. SCHEDULE OF COUNCIL MEETING: We will go with the schedule that was proposed.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
A. FUTURE SEWER IMPROVEMENTS - TIMELINE FROM CENTURY WEST: Matt Morkert said there are grant funds available from FEMA to do improvements along the creek. He talked about the manhole that was knocked over this winter from the ice and trying to prevent it in the future. They talked about three options to fix the problem. This will be discussed more at the June meeting.
B. COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE: Mayor Jaeger reported Duane Groom and Kevin Turnbough will frame the bathrooms tomorrow.
C. APPROVAL OF CDBG APPLICATION: Matt Morkert explained the CDBG application to apply for $750,000 to replace three sewer lines, and to have $40,000 in contingency if needed for changes. Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the Community Development Block grant application for $750,000 to replace three sewer lines, as presented. Alyssa Heagy seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
Resolution No. 17-02 was presented for certifications of compliance for the Community Development Block Grant. Roy Schulz made a motion to approve Resolution No. 17-02 as presented. Troy Wilson seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
D. OCCUPIED HOMES WITHOUT WATER - ORDINANCE: Mayor Jaeger said we have some occupied houses with no water and would like to make it so no one can live there. He will have Stephen Bishop change our water ordinance to include this.
E. AMEND BUDGET TO ADD RELIGHT PROGRAM: Ordinance No. 834 amending the 2017 street budget to reflect the TIB relight program. Troy Wilson made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 834 adding $60,000 to the street budget as presented. Roy Schulz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
F. FIRE RATING: Mayor Jaeger said he hasn’t heard anything back from Kelly McGougan concerning the fire rating.
G. SURPLUS PELLET STOVES FROM COMMUNITY CENTER: The mayor would like to surplus the two pellet stoves that we won’t be using from the community center. Roy Schulz made a motion to surplus both pellet stoves together for a minimum of $400, sealed bids for both, to be opened at the July 17 meeting. Troy Wilson seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
VIII. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Jaeger asked to have Stephen Bishop change our ordinance to give the council the option of forgiving all or part of a water leak. Mayor Jaeger reported the park department owns the gymkanna grounds, and there is a concern for anyone to use it overnight. The council asked that they approach the park board to see if they are interested in the town running it. Mayor Jaeger said we have an unfit-building committee for which the mayor will appoint three members, and the council will appoint the appeals committee. He asked the council to make suggestions for the next meeting.
B. CLERK/TREASURER REPORT: Browning reported the school would like clarification for what we are willing to sell them on the football field. Stephen Bishop said it needs to be surveyed, and the streets can remain unimproved so there will be a good property description.
C. COUNCIL REPORTS: Troy Wilson asked if we have a pothole committee and asked if they can be fixed.
D. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Wendy Sienknecht said that hang gliders were kicked out of the arena last year and the arena leases it from the city. Ted Blaszak thinks the hang gliders can stay there. Wendy Sienknecht also said Ruhl Park would be a good place for camping since the city owns it. She also said the parade route should be changed to go around the block twice instead of going down by Keith Andersson’s building.
IX. CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVE May 1, 2017, MEETING MINUTES: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve the May 1, 2017, meeting minutes as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
B. APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to approve EFT payroll checks totaling $5,374.60; and check numbers 12860 through 12882 for $59,578.16 as presented. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
X. ADJOURNMENT: Roy Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m. Dave Tysz seconded the motion; all council members voted yes.
APPROVED:
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John Jaeger – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Kynda Browning – Clerk/Treasurer
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